Kwara launches training program for health workers in collaboration with UNFPA
The Kwara State Government, in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has announced the commencement of a 4-day intensive training program for health workers, aimed at improving family planning services across the state.
This initiative is part of the European Union Strengthening Access to Reproductive and Adolescent Health (EU SARAH) Project, focusing on the training of health supervisors from all 16 Local Government Areas on the Revised Contraceptive Logistics Management System (CLMS) and the Nigeria Health Logistics Management Information System (NHLMIS).
The training, which began on Monday in Ilorin, is designed to enhance the logistics and data management skills of key personnel responsible for family planning initiatives throughout the state.
During the flag-off ceremony, Dr. Amina Ahmed El-Imam, the State Commissioner for Health, stressed the importance of ensuring consistent access to family planning commodities, especially in ‘hard-to-reach areas.’
Dr. El-Imam highlighted the essential role of health supervisors as community representatives in reproductive health, stating that the training aims to foster data-driven decision-making and improve supply chain efficiency. She encouraged participants to fully engage in the training and to apply what they learn to enhance health outcomes in their communities.
“You are the face of your Local Government Areas in this vital area of reproductive health. It is crucial that you work diligently to ensure family planning commodities reach even the most remote communities,” Dr. El-Imam asserted, reaffirming the commitment of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to improve health access across all regions of Kwara State.
Furthermore, she pointed out that the current administration is leveraging technical support from partners like UNICEF and UNFPA while also planning to collaborate with the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) to increase the effectiveness of commodity distribution.
Dr. Esther Shomefun, the State Focal Person for UNFPA, underscored the significance of Kwara being the first state to implement the revised logistics system under this project. She expressed optimism that achieving the training objectives would lead to a considerable reduction in preventable maternal deaths and empower women against violence.
The training is currently in session with participation from Family Planning Supervisors and logistics officers from the State Ministry of Health, reflecting a concerted effort to bolster reproductive health services in Kwara State.
